If you love warm and bright flavors, this Lemon Curry Chicken Recipe is perfect for you. It is simple, creamy and full of rich taste. The lemon adds a fresh and tangy kick, while the curry gives deep flavor and warmth.
The chicken becomes tender and juicy in the sauce. You only need easy ingredients and one pan. This dish feels fancy but is very easy to make at home.
In this blog, I will show you how to make Lemon Curry Chicken, the ingredients for Lemon Curry Chicken, helpful tips, mistakes to avoid and more. This recipe is great for dinner, meal prep, or a comforting weekend meal.
My Experience With This Lemon Curry Chicken
The first time I made this recipe, I was surprised by the bright flavor. The lemon kept the dish light, while the curry gave it depth. The mix was perfect. My family loved how creamy and soft the chicken felt.
It tasted like a restaurant meal, but it took very little work. Since then, it has become one of my favorite comfort meals. I make it often when I want something simple but full of flavor.
Recipe Card info
- Recipe Name: Lemon Curry Chicken
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Course: Dinner
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Calories: 320 kcal per serving
Equipment List
- Large pan
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients You Need for Lemon Curry Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup cream or coconut milk
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Step-by-Step Guide
- Season the chicken
Add salt, pepper and curry powder to the chicken and mix well to coat fully. - Heat the pan
Add oil and butter to a large pan and let it melt over medium heat slowly. - Cook the chicken
Place the seasoned chicken in the pan and cook until golden on both sides evenly. - Add onions
Add chopped onions to the pan and cook until soft and lightly golden in color. - Add garlic
Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant and lightly toasted for flavor. - Add broth
Pour chicken broth into the pan to deglaze and lift flavor from the bottom. - Add cream
Add cream or coconut milk and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and rich. - Add lemon juice
Add fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to brighten the flavor and balance the sauce. - Simmer
Let the sauce simmer until slightly thick and the chicken becomes tender and juicy. - Garnish
Top with fresh parsley and serve warm with rice, naan, or roasted veggies.
Recipe Tips
- Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor.
- Do not skip the lemon zest; it adds strong lemon taste.
- Coconut milk gives a lighter and sweeter flavor.
- Sear the chicken well for rich color and taste.
- Simmer slowly to let the sauce thicken naturally.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 |
| Protein | 28g |
| Fat | 18g |
| Carbs | 8g |
Serving Suggestions
This dish tastes wonderful with warm rice because the rice soaks up the creamy sauce. You can also serve it with naan, quinoa, mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
A fresh salad also pairs well because it balances the rich curry sauce. This dish works beautifully for both weeknight dinners and special meals.
Variations You Can Try
- Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast.
- Add spinach for extra greens.
- Add chili flakes for heat.
- Replace cream with coconut milk for dairy-free.
- Add peas or carrots for more texture.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight box in the fridge.
- Eat within 3 days for best taste.
- Reheat slowly on low heat to save the creamy texture.
- Add a splash of broth if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Freeze up to one month in a sealed container.
Lemon Curry Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup cream or coconut milk
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Season the chicken
- Add salt, pepper and curry powder to the chicken and mix well to coat fully.
Heat the pan
- Add oil and butter to a large pan and let it melt over medium heat slowly.
Cook the chicken
- Place the seasoned chicken in the pan and cook until golden on both sides evenly.
Add onions
- Add chopped onions to the pan and cook until soft and lightly golden in color.
Add garlic
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant and lightly toasted for flavor.
Add broth
- Pour chicken broth into the pan to deglaze and lift flavor from the bottom.
Add cream
- Add cream or coconut milk and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and rich.
Add lemon juice
- Add fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to brighten the flavor and balance the sauce.
Simmer
- Let the sauce simmer until slightly thick and the chicken becomes tender and juicy.
Garnish
- Top with fresh parsley and serve warm with rice, naan, or roasted veggies.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor.
- Do not skip the lemon zest; it adds strong lemon taste.
- Coconut milk gives a lighter and sweeter flavor.
- Sear the chicken well for rich color and taste.
- Simmer slowly to let the sauce thicken naturally.
FAQs about Lemon Curry Chicken Recipe
1. Can I make this recipe without cream?
Yes, you can use coconut milk or even evaporated milk. Both will give a creamy texture. Coconut milk also adds a sweet and rich flavor that pairs very well with curry and lemon.
2. Why did my sauce turn thin?
Thin sauce means it did not simmer long enough. Let it cook a few more minutes. The heat will help it thicken. You can also add a spoon of cream or turn the heat up slightly to reduce it faster.
3. Can I use bottled lemon juice?
You can, but fresh lemon juice gives a much better flavor. It tastes cleaner and brighter. Bottled juice may taste too sharp and can change the balance of the dish.
4. Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Yes, vegetables like spinach, peas, carrots or zucchini work very well. Add them during the simmer step so they cook gently in the sauce and absorb flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Curry Chicken Recipe is warm, bright, and incredibly comforting. It brings together creamy sauce, soft chicken and fresh lemon flavor.
It is easy enough for weeknights but tasty enough for special meals. Try it once, and it may become your new favorite comfort recipe. Enjoy every bite!
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Sara Collins is a food blogger at TastyDive. She shares simple and family-friendly recipes made with everyday ingredients. Her mission is to help home cooks enjoy tasty meals without stress.
